Jim Crow

Question 1

Origins and meaning of the term

Answer 1

Jim Crow was a minstrel character started in the 1820’s depicting a super racist version of a black man, meaning is the inferior treatment of blacks in the south

Question 2

Plessy v. Ferguson and Jim Crow laws

Answer 2

1896-Plessy refused to sit in the black train
The case went to the Supreme Court, which made the ruling that “equal but separate accommodations” was constitutional
Opened the door for all the Jim Crow and segregation laws

Question 3

Main arguments made by Justices Brown in deciding Plessy

Answer 3

“if one race be inferior to the other socially, the Constitution … cannot put them upon the same plane.”

Didn’t think it conflicted with the 14th Amendment that granted citizenship

Question 4

Main arguments made by Justices Harlan in deciding Plessy

Answer 4

The idea of segregation implies that colored citizens are inferior (it’s a class thing)
The constitution is color-blind

Question 5

Lynching, including fate of anti-lynching laws

Answer 5

Lynching = When a group of people decide to kill someone, usually by hanging, without a trial or even much evidence.
90% were in the South
1882-1951: 4,730 people were lynched
3,437 blacks
1,293 whites
Police only interfered ~50% of the time
First used against slaves
Could include various forms of torture as well
The Senate never approved a law against lynching
Opposition from southern senators

Question 6

The Great Migration

Answer 6

6 million African Americans moved out of the South cause it sucked to live there so much

1915: 90% of African Americans live in South
1970: 53% of African Americans live in South